Melons - Cantaloupe

[Wicker]

Tried and Failed  :(  Sowed and brought on 6 Sweetheart melons, 2 to a growbag (4 in 2 mini greenhouses and 2 in coldframe).  Lavished love and attention  and boy did they flourish until they were golf ball size then dead stop.  I knew it was risky not growing them in the g'house (very small so no room) but I was confident and sooo hopeful. 
Ah well, next year some of Mr W's toms will get the heave ho to make room for a couple of melons in the g'house - I am determined and don't like failure  >:(

Has anyone had success and if so please pass on some tips............

[Wicker]

[Merry Tiller]

I am growing sweetheart in 2x3 foot wooden frames. Threw loads of compost in then planted melons into it through a layer of polythene. The lids have been left off since mid June.

One plant has golf ball sized fruit so probably won't get anything worthwhile from it but the other has 2 fruits which are now about grapefruit size which is about max for this variety, just waiting for them to ripen now.

I'm not keen on melons but I reckon I might have a taste of these if I get a chance

[jennym]

A tip that might be useful for next year: in the glasshouse, use existing staging or rig up staging to support the fruits rather than mess about with nets. How to do it - you need meshed or slatted staging on at least 2 levels, the first around waist height, the second around chest height. Plant the melons in gro-bags or whatever directly under the staging, and run string from soil level up, through the first staging and secure to the second stage (or higher).
As the vine grows, train it around the string but don't allow fruit to set below the staging, you want fruit to set just above each stage and then you can allow it to rest on the staging.

[Wicker]

Think ,y main failing was that I did not remove enough fruits low down - being greedy I expect.  We live and learn - thanks for the info.

[john_miller]

... and boy did they flourish until they were golf ball size then dead stop.

Do you have any idea why they came to a dead stop? Growing melons is very heat dependent and they should have got to this size just as the hottest part of the summer was starting.
I have harvested up to 5t. of melons annually so I may be able to answer any specific questions you have.

[Wicker]

John, nice to see you on the boards again. I believe I watered regulary and sufficiently - maybe too much?  I only intended about 2 to 4 fruits each plant (I should be so lucky!!) and did provide support in the mini g'houses for that.  they did seem to be developing slowly but then the leaves yellowed and the plants wilted.

[HO]

I read in a Percy Thrower book about hotbeds and thought that I would try one. Once is enough for anyone as they are a devil of a lot of work. I made a flat heap of freshish manure about 15 inches high and topped it with good soil . popped a frame on the top, wooden about five feet by four and let it brew for a week or two; it got really hot inside, night and day and stayed that way. Planted two cantaloupes at one end on small mounds. They grew like the clappers and I let six fruits grow on each plant. We got sick of melons. They were very ,very sweet as well. I have not repeated the exercise. I reckon the heat which lasted about two months, gradually easing, was the key to success. I have an idea that they need lots of heat at night and lack of that causes fruitlet drop. Basically unless you have access to lots of manure and a better back than mine then go to Tesco and leave the fruit in the sun for a week to ripen. I expected , by the way lots of mould,botrytis etc. to grow but it did'nt.

[Wicker]

Thanks for that info, HO, since John mentioned heat a well I reckon that must have been my downfall. Mini g'houses and cold frame were left open at night - I think I will make a serious attempt next year even tho my back isn't up to much!

[john_miller]

John, nice to see you on the boards again. I believe I watered regulary and sufficiently - maybe too much? I only intended about 2 to 4 fruits each plant (I should be so lucky!!) and did provide support in the mini g'houses for that. they did seem to be developing slowly but then the leaves yellowed and the plants wilted.

Sounds like too much water Wicker. Once mine were established, in soil that was definitely not moisture retentive, I relied upon rainfall only. You may have inadvertently rotted the roots.

[Georgie]

At least you got fruits!  Mine, in 'hot pots' rather than a hot bed, have only started to flower in the last week.  :(

G xx